Chronic Wasting Disease of Deer and Elk and Human Health

At this time, there are no data to support a causal relationship between chronic wasting disease (CWD) of deer and elk and human prion infection (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease or CJD).(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11594928&dopt=Abstract ) However, there is general agreement that hunters should not consume any material from a deer or elk with CWD.

To assess the possibility that the CWD agent might cause disease in humans, additional epidemiologic and laboratory studies are needed. Such studies include molecular characterization and strain typing of agents causing CWD in deer and elk and CJD in potentially exposed patients. Ongoing national surveillance for CJD and other neurological cases will remain important for continuing to assess the risk, if any, of CWD transmission to humans.

Individuals (including rehabilitation facilities) observing animals suspected of Chronic Wasting Disease should report the location and animal condition to the nearest Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s regional office (http://www.floridaconservation.org/aboutus/regnoffc.html). Please see the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chronic Wasting Disease Web Site for additional information: http://www.floridaconservation.org/cwd

The Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance has developed a list of recommendations individuals should follow when pursuing or handling deer or elk that may have been exposed to CWD (http://www.cwd-info.org/index.php/fuseaction/recommendations.precautions).